In 2016, Martin City was voted as the “People’s Choice” winner at the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri’s Annual Cornerstone Awards reception.
Just under 1000 people voted in a ten-day public Facebook contest to determine the “People’s Choice” winner, where the Martin City CID captured more than 42% of the vote. A huge THANK YOU to all of the businesses and community members who helped spread the word and rally votes for the CID to win this award!
The Martin City CID generates over $50M in sales tax revenue for the city of Kansas City, Missouri, and according to Missy Wilson, the Executive Director of the Martin City CID, this award is the result of countless business owners and community members banding together to improve the district….. and they haven’t slowed down since the award was won.
In 2016, seven existing Martin City businesses expanded their operations, including MMC Contractors, Babcox & Wilcox Construction, Hangers Cleaners, and the Martin City Brewing Company, who’s investment landed their beer in a can and on the shelves of retail liquor stores. The Brewing Company’s owners poured even more hard work into refurbishing the former Martin City Melodrama space to reopen it as The new Martin Event Space in 2016.
Lucky for Martin City, Gary Fish and his team from FishTech decided to create their new dream headquarters right in the middle of our district. Each month, Martin City has watched the 20,000 sq.ft. facility come to life and we can’t wait to finally see it open later this year!
In addition to FishTech Labs’ new headquarters, three additional new businesses also opened their doors in Martin City in 2016: MidWest Kustoms and Collison at 13510 Oak Street; Harry’s Tavern at 13657 Washington; and Java Brothers in the warehouse space along Wyandotte.
Martin City businesses invested an estimated total of $12 million in private improvements in 2016!
Public Improvements Made In 2016
2016 began with Phase 2 of the public improvements project along 135th Street between Oak Street and Wornall Road. Improvements included the construction of a new 60” stormwater drainage system, new curbs, and gutters, new on-street parking, replacement of a 12” water main, a new traffic signal at Wornall, and new street lights.
The Martin City CID complemented those improvements with new hanging basket poles, hanging basket arrangements, holiday ornaments, new brick pavers within the sidewalks, and a new streetscape. In October, the community came out to celebrate the completion of Phase 2 public improvements along 135th Street. What a great turnout for a ribbon cutting!
The Community’s Choice For Fun
Fans and runners from all over the Kansas City metro came out to Martin City on March 13, 2016, to participate in the 4th Annual Whiskey Run 5K Race. The 2016 race had the largest number of runners to date (686) and 750+ individuals enjoyed a special buffet breakfast from RC’s Restaurant after the race was over.
The 29th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade followed that afternoon, drawing in a huge crowd to watch at least 60 entertaining parade entries stroll down 135th Street and Holmes Road. We are looking forward to seeing all those entries back here on March 12th for this year’s 30th Anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Parade!
The annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Ugly Sweater Fun Run rounded out Martin City’s 2016 year. A fun group of 72 runners (and walkers) raced through enough streets in the district to add up to a 5K race – in their ugly sweaters, all in an attempt to win a prize from KC Running Company. Thank you to all the talented choir students from St. Thomas Moore elementary school for entertaining our big crowd as we waited for Santa’s arrival.
Congratulations Martin City for being the People’s Choice in 2016!
Looking forward to all the new opportunities 2017 has to offer!